Now that the opening salvo of the new season's Champions Cup wrapped up, we examine the major talking points emerging from the games.
French dominance has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all hailing from France's elite division. But, the first weekend showcased several impressive wins from new challengers.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Defending champions Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe last season, dominating Toulouse in the semi-final and subsequently Northampton in the grand finale.
Lying sixth in the domestic standings, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title now. But, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are well-positioned of achieving back-to-back titles with a points-laden away victory in South Africa.
Given a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a strong Bulls side including internationals like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the second half, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the interval.
Les Bleus stars phenoms Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey both got on the scoresheet. Any team with such firepower on the wings stands a good chance against any competition.
Powerful Bath Look Capable of A Deep Run
Bath's sole success in the Champions Cup dates back almost a generation ago. Since that time, they have arguably not been more strongly positioned to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way in the league after six games and will be aiming to carry that momentum into continental competition – particularly following a unexpected elimination in the last campaign.
Johann van Graan's team looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 defeat of Munster, who are among the leaders in the Celtic league.
They marry offensive flair – earning the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer directing play and a deep squad all over the squad, they have to be considered serious contenders for a maiden Champions Cup since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago came in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship under their belt and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup this year.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains quality outfits throughout the draw, but the first group looks set to be one of the most fiercely contested.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on the first day might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were 14-0 down after 20 minutes but fought back impressively, and two tries early in the second period gave them a valuable five points.
With this result, they gave their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, in turn, dealt a significant setback to Sale.
With Toulouse – dominant 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who comfortably defeated Clermont, also in the pool, we are likely to see plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They produced one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for rugby in Scotland.
Is Ioane the Final Piece of the Leinster Puzzle?
If there's one team you would predict to be challenging at the sharp end of the continental campaign, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
But in recent seasons it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 thrashing of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 demolition over Glasgow in the last eight.
It was believed that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the final piece to win the championship, but they were caught out and experienced a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a key pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Since the South African sides became part of the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with plenty of rotated sides selected.
Is this the year that changes? The Stormers are top of the URC and kicked off their continental journey with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on Friday.
The words from players and coaches were positive too, with players and coaches talking about their goals, and the likes of stars Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse unavailable for the first match.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a South African side to progress far in the event, although write off the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat this weekend but did face Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Deliver a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for game of the weekend, and that clash was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a brilliant season, led by stars Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and veteran playmaker Dan Robson.
They are currently runner-up in the French championship and the atmosphere was electric at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
